This article will explore how Angela Benton changed the game as founder of NewME Accelerator, the challenges she faced, and the success stories that have emerged from her efforts.
Who is Angela Benton?
Angela Benton is an entrepreneur and media executive who has been in the tech industry since the early 2000s. She has held various positions, including CEO of Black Web Media, founder of NewME Accelerator, and is currently the CEO of Streamlytics. She is widely regarded as a pioneer in the tech industry and has been recognized by various organizations, including The Obama White House, the Knight Foundation, and Forbes.
Benton is passionate about helping others reach their goals, which is why she started NewME Accelerator. The mission of the organization is to provide resources and mentoring to underrepresented entrepreneurs so they can launch successful businesses. Benton’s vision to level the playing field for all entrepreneurs has been widely praised and is a testament to her commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
How NewME Accelerator began
The idea for NewME Accelerator was born out of a need for more resources for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Benton saw a gap in the market and decided to fill it with the creation of an accelerator program specifically designed to help entrepreneurs of color and other underrepresented groups reach their goals.
The concept was simple: provide mentoring and resources to help entrepreneurs of color and other underrepresented groups launch successful businesses. The program would be free and open to anyone who wanted to participate.
The first NewME Accelerator program was launched in 2012 in San Francisco. Since then, the program has grown to include various cities across the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
What NewME Accelerator does
The program is divided into two phases. The first phase focuses on providing entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to get started. This includes providing access to mentors, investors, and advisors, as well as offering workshops and classes on topics such as marketing, finance, and legal issues.
The second phase focuses on helping entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level. This includes providing access to capital, building relationships with customers and partners, and developing a business plan.
NewME Accelerator’s impact on the tech industry
Since its inception, NewME Accelerator has helped to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and the rest of the country, giving entrepreneurs in other cities access to the resources they need to succeed. This has helped to create a more level playing field for entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and has helped to create a more diverse and inclusive tech industry.
Benton has been a tireless advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2012, she was recognized by Forbes as one of the “30 Under 30” entrepreneurs, and in 2013, she was named to the “Forbes Impact 30” list.
Challenges Angela Benton faced
When Benton first started NewME Accelerator, she faced many challenges. The tech industry was (and still is) dominated by white males, and there was (and still is) a lack of resources for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
In addition to these challenges, Benton has had to deal with a lack of funding for the program. Despite this, Benton has been able to secure funding from various sources, including tech giants such as Google and Microsoft.
Social media campaigns and success stories
Benton has used social media to spread her message. She has used Twitter and other platforms to share her story, promote NewME Accelerator and celebrate the successes of the entrepreneurs she has mentored.
In addition to her social media campaigns, Benton has also organized various events in order to bring attention to NewME Accelerator. These events have been widely attended by members of the tech industry, and they have helped to bring attention to the program and its successes.
There have been many success stories that have emerged from the program. Many of the entrepreneurs who have gone through the program have gone on to launch successful businesses, and some have even secured funding from venture capitalists.
Angela Benton’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs
When asked for advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Benton is quick to point out that the journey is not easy. She stresses the importance of persistence and resilience, and she emphasizes the importance of having a support system.
Benton also encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to take risks and to not be afraid to fail. She emphasizes that failure is a part of the process and that it’s important to learn from your mistakes.
Finally, Benton stresses the importance of staying focused and never giving up. She says that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
